Come explore my world of bicycle racing in Michigan as I continue my quest race after race for a top 5 podium position in Mountain bike and Cyclocross racing. Look here for my weekly ramblings, race reports, race pictures and clips from friends and family.

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Well lets start out by talking about the trail. This was the 2nd year for the Tailwind Series OwasippeTT. And if it wasn't for the trail, I probably would not have drove the 3 1/2 hrs to do this race. Nestled in the wooded hills of the Owasippe Boy Scout Reservation, this has become one of my favorite trails in MI. It is fast, technical, and has some just awesome views of open country and pristine lakes. And best of all, there is over 1200 ft of climbing in just 10 miles! Did I ever mention that I like climbing? Long story...

Well as for the race, it was cold as hell at the start. But I was ready to rock. One thing bad about time trails is you line up in pairs in a big group and never really know who is in which class unless you actually know someone. This is especially the case when we race on the West side of the state because a lot of west siders come out that you never seen before. Today was no different, I did not recognize anyone. Oh well I had a race to do, So I guess I would try to beat everyone and figure out who was racing Sport Men 30-34. I line up with a younger looking kid and he took off like he was shot out of a cannon. I stayed on his tail through about 4 miles. He would slip away from me a little on the down hills and I would catch him on the ups. Finally, he gave up and said go ahead. So I did, and proceeded to catch everyone else that started before me. I finished with a time of 51:17 and took first place. But come to find out, no one else raced Sport 30-34. Oh well. My time still would have beaten all the other times in the Sport division. So I was happy with my results and I was about 3 mins. faster than last year.

But my day was not over yet! I went back to the truck and pulled out the single speed. About 1/2 hour later the call up for all single speed racers was going on. I took my spot in line for the Sport/beg single speed race next to a guy named Ray who also raced earlier in the Expert class. We both listened to the count down and went off! I rode with Ray for about 80% of the race. We did a great job of pushing each other and even caught one of the single speeders in the Expert/elite class. As we got closer to the finish, Ray was pulling away but I could still see him from time to time. As I got down to the last 3/4 mile I could not see him any more and was getting really tired. Mike from Masher's Media and team mate of mine was along the wood line and yelled out "go get him, he is only 3 secs. ahead!" So I put everything I had left into the pedals and tried to catch him. About 20 seconds later I was surprised to see Ray again about 30 yards in front of me. With less than a 1/2 mile left I had to put together a quick plan. And so I did. All I wanted to do was to tail him as close and quiet as possible until we popped out of the woods and saw the finish line with 100 yards to go. I got closer, and closer and by the time we popped out of the woods I was on his wheel. Everyone started cheering when they realized what was going on, so he looked back and saw me with a surprised look. By that time it was too late. I had already started to stand and sprint, I rounded the last right hand turn so close and fast to the pink flags that I could feel them slapping my knee. By now I was at full throttle and sprinting with everything I could. As we approached the line together, I started to pull ahead and beat Ray by the length of my front wheel. Another 1st place! And it turns out that Ray took 2nd. I only beat him by less than 1 sec. THAT IS RACING!!! Great job Ray! It was fun. On another note, my single speed time was 51:48. That is only 31 seconds slower than my geared time. Maybe that is why I thought I was going to puke!

Thanks Steve Balogh for letting me use this great picture of me Chasing down Ray in the last 1/2 mile. You can check out all of Steve's Pictures at http://www.sb.smugmug.com